Beyond the trade that sent infielder Marcus Semien to the New York Mets in exchange for outfielder Brandon Nimmo, the Texas Rangers have not made any big moves so far this offseason. 

That is not to say the Rangers are not working to build a roster capable of contending for a postseason spot under new manager Skip Schumaker, and there is a way for Texas to get better. 

According to Bleacher Report's “4 Realistic Trades That Make Both Teams Better,” a trade sending Rangers third baseman Josh Jung to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for right-hander Thomas Harrington would be a win-win for both clubs. 

“The Pirates have added Brandon Lowe, Ryan O'Hearn, Jake Mangum and Jhostynxon Garcia to an offense that ranked last in the majors in runs scored (583) and team OPS (.655) last year, but there is still room for improvement, it wrote. “With defensive-minded Jared Triolo penciled in as the projected starter at third base, they have already been linked to free agent Eugenio Suárez as a potential upgrade.” 

“Josh Jung is another potential fit at the hot corner with buy-low upside. The 27-year-old is controllable through 2028, not far removed from starting the 2023 All-Star Game and coming off a 2025 campaign where he logged a 100 OPS+ with 23 doubles, 14 home runs and 61 RBI in 131 games.” 

As for the Rangers, they would be adding a pitcher with potential while making room for their top prospect amid Jung’s decline. 

“Jung had an up-and-down 2025 season in which he was briefly optioned to the minors in July, and he has looked like a potential trade candidate since the offseason started. Moving him would create a path for top prospect Sebastian Walcott, who could be ready to debut in 2026 after spending a full season at Double-A last year. Until he's ready, Josh Smith could man the hot corner, so there is already an in-house replacement for Jung.” 

“In exchange, the Rangers bring back a former Top 100 prospect in Thomas Harrington, who checked in at No. 74 on the Baseball America prospect list at the start of last season. The 24-year-old struggled in his first big league action, but he could compete with Kumar Rocker and Jacob Latz for a spot at the back of the Opening Day rotation.”  

Jung was integral in helping the Rangers capture their first World Series title in 2023 but has illustrated less productive seasons since. It may be best for both sides to move on and open the door for Walcott. 

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